Recommendation 6

The Department recognised that its processing of claims was not always quick and that it had not yet done enough to reduce the time it takes to process them. It claimed that it now has ‘the right plans in place’ to speed them up.14 It repeatedly underlined its desire to make any further changes necessary to improve performance of the scheme, whatever the cost.15 It stated these changes could include increasing the workforce and simplifying its existing processes.16 It did not confirm exactly what further changes it would implement or when, but suggested some were imminent.17